Opening Thought
“Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.” (Psa 5:11)
Text: Matthew 21:1–9
Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will and a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.” All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'” So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their garments on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
Devotion
A human king is distinguished from others by highness and splendor; Christ is distinguished by lowliness and meekness. The world’s princes win battles with their people’s blood; Christ, with His own blood. Other rulers ascend so high to win power and dominion for themselves; Christ descends a thousand times deeper to win glory and salvation for us. Isn’t He high and great then? Doesn’t He have power and glory?
He upholds all things with the Word of His power (Heb 1:3), and all the heavenly hosts worship Him. It is not by reason of lack of power that He is the lowest, but by reason of almighty power and infinite love. Yet His lowliness is in no way a sham and feigned meekness. He has really humbled Himself. He descended so deep to slay our enemies and to deliver us up from death. His kingdom is not of this world; not earthly, but heavenly; not physical, but spiritual goods He gives us. Meekness, gentleness, patience, love, mercy, peace, and eternal salvation are His gifts to His people.
He makes His royal entrance by entering Jerusalem to suffer death. So it must be. By His death on the cross He shall destroy the devil’s power and establish His own kingdom. He comes now to uplift and draw all to Himself (Joh 3:14; 8:28; 12:32). It is done. He was crucified, and He has ascended up to the right hand of the Father. He is seated on God’s royal throne with all power in heaven and on earth, and yet He stands among us with mildness and gentleness. All who believe in Him are rescued from the power of darkness and live in the power of the kingdom where mercy and gentleness bear the scepter, “where mercy and truth have met together and righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psa 85:10). This grace we receive now in faith. Blessed for us is His Palm Sunday entry, when He came and was made a sin-offering. Blessed for us is His gracious power over sin and all evil in our poor hearts. But we shall be able to see Him again. He shall still make His entrance, so blessed for the faithful that the joy shall never end for eternity.
Closing Prayer
Meanwhile we thank You for Your royal entry on Palm Sunday. We greet You as the King of our hearts, worship You as our God, and humbly beseech You for grace: to lay ourselves down before Your feet, with all that we are and all that we have. Take and use it, Lord Jesus, to spread Your kingdom. Take us with You on the way of the cross, and use us in everything for the victory of Your truth and grace on earth. Amen.
Hymn
‘Tis He who for thee offers
His holy, precious blood.
‘Tis He who for thee proffers
A blessed saving food.
O Jesus, make me worthy
Somehow to give Thee praise;
O help me and prepare me
My voice to Thee to raise.
With willing, all my treasure
I lay aside for Thee,
To join the throng unmeasured
Who praise Thee gratefully.
My palms I freely bring Thee,
O King of glory of mine;
My hymns I gladly sing Thee,
Jesus, Thine ear incline.
Hosannas are resounding
With Thy good Spirit dear;
My heart with joy is bounding,
With godly, holy cheer.
What joy and what great wonder
The King of glory wrought;
My death Thou troddest under;
To Thee all thanks be brought.
Kingo: Se, hvor nu Jesus træder L 300:10-14 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: O Jesus, for din Pine (LHy 479); alternate hymn: Hail, Thou once-despised Jesus ELH 270:2